Laura Gómez

Food Business Manager

Laura joined the Ventures team in 2013.

Laura works with Ventures’ food businesses. She manages the food incubator program providing training and access to a commercial kitchen space, and retail markets, as well as ongoing support and resources. Having studied microfinance in college and abroad, Laura was drawn to Ventures after learning about its locally implemented business training and microfinance programs. A child of Mexican immigrants who worked their way up and now own restaurants, Laura believes in the power of small business as a means for changing people’s lives because she has witnessed and benefited from it firsthand.

Laura grew up in the food service industry within her family’s restaurants. She brings experience in customer service, day-to-day and strategic operations, and management. Prior to becoming the Food Business Manager, Laura worked at Ventures as the Program Coordinator and Office Manager. In these roles, she gained experience in organizational operations and program planning. She coordinated all Orientations and Business Basics courses in English and Spanish while also offering direct service to clients at the front desk. Her bilingual skills involved her in the Latino Program’s courses and workshops as well. Laura holds a BA in Economics with a specialization in International Economic Development, and a BA in International Studies with a Minor in Latin American Studies from Seattle University.

Laura’s dream business to start would be a Mexican-inspired bakery and coffee shop.